Coyotes' Montoya gets historic 1st start

Coyotes rookie goalie Al Montoya will make history Wednesday night when he becomes the first Cuban-American to play in the NHL.

And if he wins, he can symbolically light up – the logo on the back of his helmet features a moon with a Cuban cigar in its mouth.

Montoya, 24, whose grandparents and parents were born in Cuba, is a native of Chicago. He’s a former first-round pick in 2004 (sixth overall) of the Rangers and was part of the trade last season that Fredrik Sjostrom to New York. He was assigned to the San Antonio Rampage prior to his call-up.

Coyotes update: Goalie Al Montoya would become the first Cuban-American to play in the NHL if he makes his expected start. The Coyotes, who have knocked playoff hopefuls Edmonton and Dallas for a loop in two of their past three games, now take on a team that is below them - and last - in the Western Conference standings. ... LW Shane Doan is one away from a 30-goal season.

Avalanche update: Colorado has lost seven in a row and has the second-fewest points (64) in the league. LW Ryan Smyth leads the team with 59 points.